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When I was younger and it came around to this time of year, my family would all submit our annual NRL predictions.
We wrote up what we thought the points table would look like after 26 rounds.
These brave predictions would then be sealed up in an envelope and locked away until grand final day when we could all compare and see who was closest to the mark.
This has been a tradition that has stuck with me and it’s now that time of year again.
I’m sure I am not the only one who likes to do this. It’s always a bit of fun to make bold claims up until the point where I’ve always let my heart rule over my head when I have to decide where to put Parramatta on the table.
But despite this, my plans have recently been thrown into chaos.
Ben Barba’s freakish ability may be missing from the Bulldogs for some time and the Cronulla Sharks may have up to fourteen players suspended.
Both of these teams were firmly entrenched in my own (and I assume many other punters’) top eight but now I’m not so sure.
With the chance that the Sharks may be missing a host of players, are they still top eight contenders?
Can the Bulldogs retain their minor premiership with all the focus so firmly placed on the off field issues of last year’s Dally M medal winner?
There are so many questions marks surrounding this season’s NRL. This does seem to set it up for an exciting season but unfortunately these factors are the very same ones that are causing all the recent NRL related stories to have a negative spin.
The Australian Crime Commission’s drugs in sport investigation has come at a terrible time and has left many teams confused.
The Raiders were another who team were named in the report and Raiders winger Sandor Earl has recently been quoted saying that they haven’t heard anything from ASADA officials since that first meeting.
Can these teams really be fully focussed on the game when this shadow is still hanging over the sport?
Each team in this season’s competition has their own factors relating to whether their season will be boom or bust.
Can the Cowboys not be distracted by the ongoing contract negotiations with star player Johnathan Thurston?
Will the Ricky Stuart factor change anything at Parramatta?
Can the prodigal Sonny really turn things around on Bondi?
What will it mean for the Raiders if they get a full season out of Campese and Dugan?
How will the Tigers deal with an exodus of players as well as the departure of Tim Sheens and the entire squad dealing with the recent tragic death of their youngster Mosese Fotuaika?
Melbourne Storm and the South Sydney Rabbitohs have been relatively quiet over the off season.
Melbourne have been boosted by Craig Bellamy putting aside any doubts over his future and resigning with the club while Brett Finch will add some depth and experience to the squad.
Souths will be even better having spent more time with Michael Maguire and the acquisitions of Ben Teo’o and Jeff Lima will make up for the loss of Dave Taylor.
These two teams look very calm and well organised and there is little doubt that they will be there again at the pointy end of the season.
Meanwhile, the Knights, Sea Eagles, Broncos and Warriors will all fancy their chances of a top eight finish while the Panthers, Dragons and Titans will all just be hoping on improved performances from 2012.
So despite everything that’s happened in the last couple of weeks I’m sticking with my original table as the family rules always stated you were never allowed to change once you’ve written it down.
Here is my fearless prediction:
1. Canterbury Bulldogs
2. South Sydney Rabbitohs
3. Melbourne Storm
4. North Queensland Cowboys
5. Newcastle Knights
6. Cronulla Sharks
7. Manly Sea Eagles
8. Brisbane Broncos
9. Canberra Raiders
10. Sydney Roosters
11. New Zealand Warriors
12. Parramatta Eels
13. Wests Tigers
14. St George Illawarra Dragons
15. Gold Coast Titans
16. Penrith Panthers
So there it is. It’s time to put it in the envelope and lock it away until September. Bring on the season because all everyone wants now is to just see some rugby league action.
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